I just finished watching a documentary on Nick Drake's life, A Skin Too Few, which screened last night on the Sundance Channel.
Nick Drake (1948-1974) was a singer, songwriter and guitarist who wrote songs of unparalleled beauty, fragility, wistfulness, and sensitivity. Like Vermeer, who left us only a few paintings, Nick Drake left us only three albums. Like Vermeer, and perhaps like James Dean, Nick Drake has attained a steadily growing mystique, afforded a soul who left us too early, with too few works of genius.
A Skin Too Few was made in 1999, but unknown to me until last night. The documentary features breathtakingly beautiful, haunting, dark and moody images of England which match the persona of the artist.
The film features an interview with Keith Morris, the photographer who provided the images for his albums. Nick was so depressed during the taping of his third album, that Morris describes the portrait session as like "shooting a still-life."
Nick Drake took an overdose of anti-depressants and passed away in 1974. His music touches something deep within. This documentary, like his music, is haunting and special.
The documentary is not scheduled again soon for the Sundance Channel, but can be seen on You Tube in five parts.
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